Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Has anyone ridden the Spyder? Is it fun to ride?

I've ridden one. They're really weird to ride. They don't want to turn at all at low speeds, and high speeds they're twitchy and very susceptible to inputs and road conditions. And the first time you go for the brake lever and it's not there your heart skips a few beats! haha
Otherwise they're not bad. Definitely stable.

Wrider wrote:I've ridden one. They're really weird to ride. They don't want to turn at all at low speeds, and high speeds they're twitchy and very susceptible to inputs and road conditions. And the first time you go for the brake lever and it's not there your heart skips a few beats! haha
Otherwise they're not bad. Definitely stable.

That doesn't sound too fun.

They [Spyders] fit into that ever-growing category of "Transportation That Doesn't Appeal to Me." It joins good company, though, as many newer motorcycles fit into that category, along with most SUVs, crossover vehicles, most sedans, adventure touring motorcycles, most dual-sport motorcycles, the Victory Vision, and the Honda Goldwing. It's actually a very large category, which makes me think I'm a lot pickier than I thought....or I just have very discerning taste--which is just a nice way of saying I'm picky.

jaskc78 wrote:They [Spyders] fit into that ever-growing category of "Transportation That Doesn't Appeal to Me." It joins good company, though, as many newer motorcycles fit into that category, along with most SUVs, crossover vehicles, most sedans, adventure touring motorcycles, most dual-sport motorcycles, the Victory Vision, and the Honda Goldwing. It's actually a very large category, which makes me think I'm a lot pickier than I thought....or I just have very discerning taste--which is just a nice way of saying I'm picky.

How come u don't like dual sports?

Dunno, they just don't catch my eye.

jaskc78 wrote:Dunno, they just don't catch my eye.

Yeah but the nice thing about the Dual Sport bikes is when the road looks like this, you can keep going.

A year ago or so I saw some really cool looking sport ATVs for street use - that were appealing for some kind of exception to the car requirements. Lots of luck with that. Hmmm maybe it was a couple of years ago Like This One

I would say this wouldn't be to my taste - I enjoy riding even if sometimes it scares the "poo poo" out of me. It is unfortunate; however, that we don't have an experimental class of 4-wheeled vehicles. Sign a waver that your vehicle doesn't pose a threat to others and you accept that your vehicle is not as safe as a armored car - and all sorts of things can become possible. You might say need a special license. Special insurance or waivers of liability for the original manufacturer of your vehicle (if there was one).
zsdzmagine the fuel efficiency I could get if I could strip everything down - reduce the size of the cabin, remove the outer body and create a new substructure with carbon fiber panels... No hybrid, no battery, no diesel - 50 to 60 mpg, easily...

RhadamYgg

Here in Ontario, according to the Highway Traffic Act, anything with 4 wheels is considered an automobile, and thus this thing would have to have seatbelts, rollover protection, windshield wipers, etc. to be street legal. 3 wheelers, such as the Spyder, the Lehman conversions, sidecar rigs and even the old Honda ATCs and Yamaha YTMs are considered motorcycles, and can be licensed as such for street use. as well as require a class M license to ride.

I'm sorry

The vehicle linked here and the Can-Am Spyder are not motorcycles. They are differently-wheeled vehicles under a yet unnamed category.